Westfield Public Library creates pen pal program to help seniors during pandemic

WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — A handwritten note can go a long way, especially to those at nursing homes, unable to see visitors or family amid pandemic restrictions. The Westfield Public Library is asking young people to sign on as pen pals.

Sixty teens and seniors combined have signed up for the program.

A handful of letters have already been sent to three different nursing homes in Westfield.

A senior outreach patron informed the library movies were no longer allowed at his facility, community dining had been suspended and all group activities were canceled, which is why the library created the program. A handful of seniors were suffering loss from the pandemic and social interactions.

Anthony Sparano, 10, signed up for the program and is excited to make a new friend via mail.

“You can talk to them about things,” he said. “My grandma used to work at a nursing home and we used to go there and see how they’re doing and it was really fun. I want to meet this person and be friends with them. If you do a lot of pen pal programs then you can have a lot of friends.”

The library supplies starter kits for teens interested in signing up.

If you’d like to sign up for the program just call the Westfield library at 317- 896-9391.